LSP working Black Creek Well Blowout in Acadia Parish

Troop I is currently working a natural gas/ oil well blowout located at LA 13 south of Eunice in Acadia Parish. Troopers are assisting the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office with diverting traffic at LA 13 and LA 370. Troop I has been advised that an evacuation of nearby residences and businesses approximately 1 ½ miles from the site is currently being conducted. A total of 12 homes were evacuated.

Troopers verify that employees with Black Creek Drilling were "drilling a natural gas well when they lost pressure. As a result, there was a well blowout. As a precaution, Louisiana State Police Hazmat, fire departments from Acadia Parish, Louisiana DEQ, and the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office are working to evacuate the area."

Officials from "Wild Well Control" were in route from Texas. According to their website, they provide well control and emergency response. The company says they are the primary responder to more than 80 percent of all well blowouts globally. However, in the meantime, Hammons says "we are continuing to monitor air, and we'll provide assessment as new details come forward".

The detour route is as follows:If you are traveling from the Crowley area, north to the Eunice area, you should take LA 13 to LA 370, LA 370 to LA 368, LA 368 to LA 755. If you are traveling from the Eunice area, south to the Crowley area, you should reverse those directions. Students who attend LSUE are being advised to used these detour routes.There is no estimate on when the roadway will be reopened.

There are no reported injuries at this time.

Cleco officials tells us, as a precaution, they are undergoing a controlled shut down of the power plant near the site of the well blow out. They do not expect any power outages because of the shut down. All personnel on site will remain there until if/when they are told they must evacuate.

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